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We tested the best GPS watches from Apple, Garmin, Coros, Suunto, and more to help you find the perfect companion for your adventures
We tested a wide range of GPS watches and took them on countless adventures so we could provide recommendations. Here are all of the watches we tested in Summer of 2024.
Our review authors and testers have spent the last decade testing over 50 of the best GPS watches, with the top 16 in this review. We've developed a testing plan that focuses on analyzing the features, battery life, ease of use, accuracy, and design. We look at both the internal user interface and the external hardware to give you the best recommendations. We know everyone has different priorities, so we delve into various use cases to help you decide which watch will be best for your lifestyle and budget.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on July 3, 2024, to include the new options from Garmin, Amazfit, Fitbit, and Coros. We also updated to new metrics and refreshed our accuracy testing.
Lacks multiple dedicated buttons, no altimeter, no navigation
Plastic construction, limited software features, music by mp3 only
Loop strap less desirable, scroll wheel requires screen lock, music is MP3 only
Plastic body, fixed band less comfortable (hinge band sold separately), may be less comfortable for smaller wrists
Lacks premium health stats, shorter battery life
Small screen, difficult to read
Straps feel less exceptional, lacks always-on display mode, no altimeter sensor
Bottom Line
If you are a serious ultra-athlete who needs the most out of their GPS watch, this is the one for you, and it should last for years to come
One of the top GPS watches on the market for serious athletes looking for high accuracy and all-day health tracking
This watch excels in accuracy, connectivity, and user-friendliness, though it's a modest upgrade over the first-generation
For pure running, there is no better series than the Forerunner, and the 965 performs excellently by offering a beautiful screen and longer battery life
This watch features an improved menu, UI, and AMOLED display, along with its excellent build quality
The most rugged expedition-ready watch we tested with insane battery life in a large 51mm case
If your highest priorities are build quality and design, this watch comes through, but we wish it had a more user-friendly interface
The Forerunner 165 is one of the best all-around GPS units for daily health tracking and athletic pursuits
This watch offers the best battery life for its size, a great interface, and our favorite mobile companion app, all for less than the top premium models
If you're looking for a health tracker to do some occasional GPS tracking, this is a great model
Offering enhanced battery life and additional sensors without a significant price hike, this watch is ideal for athletes and those who desire all-day health tracking
Combining premium materials and a great design, this 42mm watch boasts excellent battery life for its smaller case size
A rugged GPS watch with potentially unlimited battery life, this watch has all the features you need and nothing you don't
A basic GPS watch that will be perfect for those looking to track their activities without the advanced features of higher-end models or extended battery life
If you just need the basics of daily heart rate, sleep, and some simple GPS tracking, you should consider this model before spending more
At this price point, it's obvious that the Active Edge is a good watch; it's comfortable, durable, and has a great screen. We wish it had an always-on mode
Smartwach: Up to 34 days
GPS only: 110 hours / 150 with solar
Smartwatch: Up to 18 days/22 days with solar
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 57 days/173 days with solar
GPS Only: Up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar
All Satellte Systems: Up to 40 hours/48 hours with solar
All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 23 hours/26 hours with solar
All Satellite Systems + Music: Up to 10 hours
Max Battery GPS: Up to 136 hours/289 hours with solar
Expedition GPS: Up to 40 days/74 days with solar
Normal use: Up to 36 hours; Low Power mode: Up to 72 hours
Smartwatch mode; Up to 23 days
GPS-Only Mode without Music: 31 hours
In time mode: 26 days
With 24/7 Tracking and Mobile Notifications: 12 days
Training Mode with GPS: 40h / 50h / 70h / 120h
Smartwatch mode: 40 days;
GPS: 118 hours; All Systems on without music: 73 hours; All Systems on with music: 27 hours; Daily Use with stress monitors: 36 days
In Time Mode: 60 days - Solar: 1 year
24/7 Tracking and Mobile Notifications: 30 days - Solar: 60 days
Training mode with GPS:
60h / 90h /140h / 500h - Solar: 85h / 140h / 280h / 30d
Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days;
Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 20 days;
GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 19 hours;
All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours
Full GPS: 66 hours - 18 with music; All systems on: 41 hours - 15 hours with music; Dual Frequency: 24 hours - 12 with music; Daily Use: 24 days - 21 days with daily stress monitors
Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days (5 days display always-on);
Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 21 days;
GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 21 hours;
All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours;
All-Systems GNSS mode with music: Up to 8 hours
Full GPS: 38 hours - 10 hours with music; All Systems On: 25 hours - 9 hours with music; Dual Frequency: 15 hours - 7 hours with music; Daily Use: 17 days - 15 days with daily stress monitors
Full GPS: 40 hours - 10 hours with music; All Systems On: 25 hours - 9 hours with music; Daily Use: 14 days - 13 days with daily stress monitors
Smartwatch: Up to 28 days/Unlimited with solar;
Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 65 days/Unlimited with solar;
GPS: Up to 30 hours/48 hours with solar;
Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 70 hours/370 hours with solar;
Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 32 days/Unlimited with solar
Smartwatch mode: 2 weeks;
GPS: 20 hours
Smartwatch mode: up to 7 days
Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days; Battery Saver Mode: Up to 24 days; Heavy Usage: Up to 10 days;
GPS: Up to 20 hours
Weight: 2.9 oz | Battery Life: 22 days in solar smartwatch mode, 73 hours in solar GPS
REASONS TO BUY
Great features and user interface
Exceptional battery for most distances
Premium materials and rugged design
Accurate dual-frequency GPS and heart rate monitor
Flashlight
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Garmin Connect app feels dated
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar is newly refreshed with an updated heart rate monitor, solar charging, and flashlight. These features add to the dominance of the series, and while more expensive, we found the additions to be well worth the cost. Garmin continues to provide one of the best user interfaces and experiences for a GPS smartwatch. For serious athletes or users searching for a high-end option, look no further. After extensive testing while skiing, running, paddling, and backpacking, this model provided reliable accuracy and enhanced our outdoor experiences.
While this is a great watch, the price is high, and many will find better value in other lower-priced options with fewer features. Learning about the feature options and how to set them up is also a time investment. However, if you can afford it and love a watch with the extra features, this is a great option. For more battery life and similar features, check out the larger Garmin Enduro 2. For similar performance and a slimmer package with an AMOLED display, check out the Garmin Forerunner 965.
Weight: 2.93 oz | Battery Life: 12 days in smartwatch mode, 40 hours in performance GPS mode
REASONS TO BUY
Price
Battery life for AMOLED display
Easy to use with precise and fluid scroll wheel
Design
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Minor inconsistencies in UI
The Suunto Race shines as one of Suunto's top-tier GPS smartwatches. Featuring an AMOLED display and an upgraded user interface, it offers a smoother and more intuitive navigation experience. Its competitive pricing and high-quality display are likely to attract dedicated Suunto fans. This watch is an excellent choice for users seeking a straightforward and efficient altimeter, barometer, or compass GPS watch.
For those considering an upgrade to their Suunto GPS watch, the Suunto Race is a superb option. The new AMOLED display and enhanced internal hardware enable the menu systems to run much more smoothly than before. The revamped user interface simplifies the interaction, providing quicker access to features. Additionally, the cost is attractive, especially given the AMOLED display. With a touchscreen, physical buttons, and a rolling crown, this model offers multiple interaction methods, making it well-suited for the diverse activities supported by the Suunto Race. If you need a watch with better battery life, consider the Coros Apex Pro 2 or Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar.
Weight: 1.50 oz | Battery Life: 17 days daily use, 38 hours in GPS mode
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptionally lightweight
Battery life is long
Fantastic accuracy
Simple menu system
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited sports profiles
Plastic construction
The Coros Pace 3 maintains its edge in the budget-friendly segment of the market. If we were to suggest a single product that caters to the widest range of folks, it would undoubtedly be this watch. It offers outstanding battery life without adding extra weight or bulk. With 30+ hours of GPS usage or up to two weeks of typical daily use, the need for frequent charging becomes a non-issue. If your goal is to minimize the distractions often associated with smartwatches, the streamlined design of the Pace 3 is exceptionally appealing. Both dedicated athletes and individuals focused on daily health metrics could get a lot out of this model.
Although we were pleasantly surprised by its durability, don't expect a ton of premium materials on the Pace 3. In the world of GPS watches, a rugged design typically commands a higher price tag. While adding a touch screen on this latest model is a positive feature, we prefer the rolling crown, with dedicated buttons being our favorite. Still, if you're in the market for an ultralight GPS watch that offers great accuracy and battery life without breaking the bank, the Coros Pace 3 comes highly recommended. The Garmin Forerunner 165 is also excellent and nearly matches the Pace 3. It has an AMOLED display and dedicated buttons, which is something to consider if you can handle less battery life. Another great budget option is the Coros Apex 2.
The Pace 3 has the potential to cater to a broad range of folks with its lower price point and long battery life, and it's not clumsy or bulky to wear.
Weight: 3.20 oz | Battery Life: 34 days in smartwatch mode, 150 hours in GPS mode with Solar
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptional Design
Battery life
Dedicated buttons & touchscreen
Software UI
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Expensive
The Garmin Enduro 2 boasts one of the longest lasting batteries among Garmin's GPS watches. Its 51mm case accommodates a larger battery, resulting in a noticeable weight increase compared to smaller models. This watch is ideal for extended backcountry adventures where recharging isn't feasible or desired. Performance-wise, it stands out as one of Garmin's most readable and durable models to date.
For those who prioritize battery life within the Garmin ecosystem, the Enduro 2 is the optimal choice. Despite its size, the watch is surprisingly comfortable, thanks to its wider straps, which match the comfort of smaller 47mm models. The larger screen displays more data, reducing the need to switch between pages. One of its standout features is the dedicated flashlight, which has become indispensable. The sapphire screen resists scratches and remains clear in various weather conditions. When choosing between the Enduro 2 and the Fenix series, consider your battery life requirements. For a smaller form factor, check out the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar or Garmin Forerunner 965.
Weight: 2.60 oz | Battery Life: 36 hours normal use, 12 hours in GPS mode
REASONS TO BUY
Industry-leading health metrics and accuracy
Premium design and materials
Phone + SMS response via keyboard and Siri
Best watch face design and red light capability
REASONS TO AVOID
Short battery life
Expensive
In January 2024, Apple lost a patent dispute to Masimo over the blood oxygen sensor feature of the Ultra 2 and Series 9 watches. Apple Watches will still show the blood oxygen app, but the technology is disabled.
The Apple Ultra Watch 2 is a top choice for athletes and those seeking extended battery life in an Apple smartwatch. It provides seamless connectivity and phone-like features on your wrist, making it a great choice for users who value staying connected. The Apple Health app stands out as one of the best options for tracking and visualizing data related to activities like running, sleep, and daily heart rate monitoring, thanks to its clean and uncluttered design. The watch's physical design is elegant, with a bright display and a 49mm case size. However, the updated model doesn't offer significant improvements over its predecessor at the moment, so upgrading from an Apple Watch Ultra 1 may not be necessary.
Even though this is the best Apple offers, it may not suit everyone. The Ultra 2 may not work well for serious ultra-endurance athletes who perform in technical terrain. Some users might find the watch distracting and overly feature-packed, although customization options are available to minimize distractions. Apple markets its rugged capabilities, but its smartwatch features remain its primary strength. Therefore, while it's a strong contender in the smartwatch market, it may not fully satisfy the needs of all athletes, particularly those prioritizing battery life. But if you are a fan of Apple watches or desire the best smartwatch tech features, this is one of the best models on the market. If you like the idea of a smartwatch but don't quite want to spend as much as the Ultra 2, check out the Garmin Vivoactive 5. For more performance-oriented people, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar is also a great option for a similar price.
Weight: 1.3 oz | Battery Life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, roughly 8 hours of GPS recording
REASONS TO BUY
Simple
Comfortable slim design
Accurate
Daily health tracking
REASONS TO AVOID
Small screen can be difficult to read
Shorter battery life
The Fitbit Charge 6 is the simplest device in our lineup and is perfect for those who don't need a large device. One little screen is all you need for tracking your daily walks, steps, and sleep. We were also impressed with the GPS recording, and while it won't last super long, it's more than enough for daily workouts. Many GPS watches provide an overwhelming amount of features. If you've felt this way when looking through the options, give this model a look.
Fitbit has been around a long time, and they've positioned themselves more in health tracking than activity usage. Their mobile companion app is great and offers many different options for health information. With Fitbit Premium, you have access to a library of coaches and different classes similar to Peleton. For serious athletes, you will likely want a full screen to view your data, but if you just need the basics, this is the model for you. If you need more than just the basics, we say upgrade to the Garmin Forerunner 165 or Coros Pace 3
The Fitbit Charge 6 has a slimmer fit that's perfect for those who don't like the look of a larger GPS watch.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
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Testing of GPS watches occurs in a wide variety of conditions. Here, the new Coros watches get tested on a frigid morning of ice climbing in Colorado.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Why You Should Trust Us
Before selection occurs, we spend hours looking through the top options on the market, delving into the research to determine the best. Once we've determined our final lineup, we buy each watch at full retail and start our testing process. From days out running, skiing, climbing, and biking, we analyze the features, accuracy, and usability to give you our recommendations on what's best. Our team is proud to provide our thoughts and aid you in searching for the best GPS watch to fit your needs.
Our GPS watch testing is divided into six rating metrics:
Accuracy (30% of overall score weighting)
Activity Use (20% weighting)
Everyday Use (15% weighting)
Extra Features(15% weighting)
Wearability (10% weighting)
Battery Life (10% weighting)
This review is headed up by Matthew Richardson. Matthew works with maps for a living and spends his free time outdoors surrounding Durango, Colorado. He uses a GPS watch daily and has completed some big outings, such as a solo ride on the Colorado Trail and linking up the Chicago Basin 14ers in a day. He has personally tested and retested every watch in this lineup over the last several years and deeply understands every feature and nuance.
Our lead tester on a solo trip on the Colorado Trail summer of 2021. Seen here at Kokomo Pass.
Our lead tester Matthew putting some miles in, in Durango, Colorado.
Matthew our lead tester doing the classic chimney boulder in the kraft boulders in Las Vegas, NV.
Testing GPS watches in various terrain and while doing various activities gives a clearer picture of their capabilities.
Analysis and Test Results
There are many GPS watches on the market these days, and finding the one that fits your needs can be a tough project. We took a sample of the market's current best and tested them to see how they compare side-by-side.
What's the Best Value?
GPS watches are an investment, and your level of usage should determine what your price point should be. If you're looking to get into the entry-level GPS watch market and want a watch purely for distance and heart rate tracking, we suggest the Coros Pace 3, Garmin Forerunner 165, or Garmin Forerunner 55. These are great entry-level models that will satisfy most users.
Wait for last season's watch to go on sale. These are typically loaded with many of the same functions, and you can get them for a fraction of the retail cost.
The Suunto Race is at the lower end of the high-priced watches, but its combination of advanced features and all-day battery life make it a great option.
Screen brightness is important, especially when trying to see the screen out in the sunlight.
The Coros Apex 2 and Coros Apex Pro 2 are very similar in design besides their size difference (42mm/47mm).
Testing side-by-side gives us unique insight into what models excel for certain applications.
Accuracy
We know that accurate GPS recordings and metrics are important. Nobody wants wonky elevation data or elevated heart rate stats, especially with the cost of today's devices. We've been impressed with the watches in our test group, each performing adequately across the price ranges. Luckily, all the watches we tested now feature multi-band GPS satellite recording, with some even working in multi-frequency. GPS signal strength, satellite location, watch fit, and internal hardware all have a large impact on device accuracy.
To evaluate the accuracy of each watch, we ran, biked, and hiked known distances to compare our watches and their track metrics. We also tested the watches deep in the canyons of Utah. Canyons are notoriously bad for GPS watches due to the limited open line of sight. All of the GPS watches we tested had good accuracy that we would trust. Most gave us smooth tracks that consistently stayed within 1-3% of the actual measured distance. Multi-band satellites produced the best results; those with dual-frequency performed even better. It's important to keep in mind that these advanced features generally use more battery, but these devices already have sufficient battery life to perform these tasks. With dual frequency becoming more standard, pretty much all of the premium models across the brands have excellent GPS accuracy.
We analyzed all of the GPS tracks provided by the units. a) our steep hill test showing accuracy in steep terrain. b) Winners of our steep hill test, these had the most uniform tracks without errors. c) All devices preformed well on city streets. d) Long open straight aways also led to good GPS tracks for all units.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Heart Rate Monitor Accuracy
Testing heart rate monitors is quite a challenge. We observed heart rate data during runs and compared this to the information we received from a heart monitor chest strap. While most watches can accurately track the relative ups and downs you might experience while exercising, few are as accurate as a chest strap. This is largely due to variable fit on the wrist and a myriad of other factors. None of the heart rate monitors we tested were spot on. If you want precise heart rate readings, be sure to purchase a chest strap.
One important thing to note regarding optical heart rate monitors is that they do not provide quality data for people with dark skin, tattoos, or large amounts of hair or sweat under the monitor. This issue applies to every watch with an optical heart rate monitor because they use photoplethysmography (PPG), where light reflected from your arteries indicates your heart rate. Outside light, bursts of activity, interference from hair, tattoo ink, sweat, etc., can all affect readings.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 and Fenix 7 Pro Solar were almost spot on, with a good fit on our wrist and an average variation of less than one beat per minute. The Suunto Race & Amazfit Active Edge also performed excellently. With the updated HR monitor found on the Coros models, they are more accurate than ever before, also coming within a variation of just 2-4 bpm. The unique rectangular design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 fits well on our wrist, and when paired with their excellent sensor, this matched our leading model, the Fenix 7 Pro Solar.
The Amazfit Active Edge's TLT display is easy to see in a variety of sun conditions, we wish the model had an always on display mode so we could see it without fully rotating our wrist while running.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Activity Use
GPS watches have continued to evolve to become full computers on your wrist, with many containing many of the features of your smartphone. However, our main priority with GPS watches is their activity usage. Many on our team are serious athletes and depend on an accurate GPS watch that makes their workout experience better and more informed. While there are many different watches in our lineup, they all have the ability to record your heart rate and track your GPS track.
During our testing, we came to the conclusion you really can't go wrong with any watch in our test group. Each has the ability to provide you with a great GPS track and give you on-screen data like heart rate, mileage, and pace. Some perform better than others, and your main sport should determine which model is best for you.
For running, we'd recommend a few options from Garmin and Coros, specifically the Garmin Forerunner 165, Garmin Forerunner 965, Coros Pace 3, and Coros Apex 2. For rugged trail running, we say go for the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar.
An AMOLED display may be typically brighter than an MIP, but it also uses more battery life. For this reason, we tend to prefer an MIP display.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
For rugged activities, such as climbing, skiing, mountaineering, or backcountry backpacking, we'd recommend the Garmin Enduro 2, Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar, or Coros Vertix 2S
A more robust watch is a good idea when climbing or backpacking.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
For more basic activities such as hiking, dog walking, and daily health tracking, check out the Garmin Vivoactive 5 or Fitbit Charge 6. If you want a blend of smartwatch features that's still great for the backcountry and more technical trails, check out the Apple Ultra Watch 2.
The Vivoactive 5 is a more casual looking option, but still reasonably solid.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Everyday Use
Ease of use is important when using a watch both during activity and during your daily life. These products should enhance your life, not make it more difficult. The models that scored highest were those we felt were the easiest to use and provided the best user experience. Integration of mobile apps was also taken into consideration when determining user experience. Keep in mind that a product with a long list of features may take some time to learn the ins and outs of.
Similar to features, there are many similarities between brands, with the interface on the less expensive watches mimicking those found on top-of-the-line models. You will see there isn't as much spread in our rankings for this metric — this is due to the similarities of the interfaces. If you can use the Coros Vertix 2S, you will instantly be able to use the Coros Apex 2-- same for the Fenix 7 Pro Solar and Forerunner 965.
The Coros Vertix 2S does a great job of providing endless battery life for daily health tracking while putting in heavy training loads.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
All of the Garmin products feature dedicated buttons, except the Garmin Vivoactive 5, which is a great smartwatch option from Garmin. All of the Coros models feature a scroll wheel, with all new models containing a touch screen that is now accessible throughout all menu systems.
Unlike other models from Garmin, the Vivoactive doesn't have buttons, and instead features a touch screen for navigation.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Ultimately, it's hard to say which brand is easiest to use because they are both different yet similar. Their method of interaction is the biggest difference, and we would suggest deciding on whether you like the idea of a scroll wheel or dedicated buttons. Internally, the menu systems are essentially the same, with a few minor differences.
Our tester found some of the most difficult areas for GPS watches to track to test their abilities.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 impressed us with its feature set and how easy it is to use these features. It's really no surprise that Apple was able to incorporate its beloved design into this more rugged model. Setting up and customizing notifications and the layout is a breeze with the watch app. As watch companion apps continue to get better, we are impressed with the amount of customization available, with each brand becoming quite good.
The Ultra is a great option for those who desire the great added features of a smartwatch but long for that GPS watch durability.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Suunto products all scored a bit lower here as we felt their menu systems were the hardest to learn and use. Even after hours of using their products, the menus still felt unintuitive compared to some of the others. The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar and Suunto Race have very nice touch screens that aid in ease of use, but oftentimes, the action button would change. For example, to start an activity, you use the large central button, but to stop the activity, you use a different button.
The Race is the first AMOLED display model produced by Suunto.
The 49mm case size is one of our favorites, allowing for increased battery life over the standard 47mm size. The Vertical Titanium Solar offers industry-leading battery life which you can also charge via solar.
Suunto constantly creates beautiful watches with dependable accuracy and a good feature set.
Apps are another consideration in this metric. Of all the manufacturers we reviewed, Garmin Connect has the most features, but the design left a bit to be desired, in our opinion. Suunto and Coros have apps that are more stripped-down, less integrated, and overall easier to use. Suunto has a really beautiful layout that integrates photos, which we enjoyed. These apps were easier to figure out compared to Garmin, though none offer the same social ecosystem. Luckily, they all cross over to different ecosystems like Strava. You can also sync your data from these apps to the Apple Health app, which we think provides the best health metric visualization.
The Garmin Connect app is a great way to view your latest health and workout data. The home screen is now improved, making it easier to use and understand your metrics.
The Coros App is well designed and long been one of our favorites next to Apple Health. The app is easy to use and looks great!
Looking at the apps between brands, they are all fairly clear and easy to use.
Lastly, the Fitbit Charge 6 was very easy to use and got an award for being the best at the basics. For less serious athletes or those who simply want to do some recorded walks but have all-day health tracking, this is the model for you. GPS watches can be complicated, and we realize not everyone needs all of the visualization of data. We've started to include some of these simpler devices in our testing to appeal to a wider range of users.
Extra Features
The variety of feature sets in today's market mimics the wide range of pricing. Across all the devices, we tested roughly 1-second interval GPS recording, and a heart rate monitor is a minimum. A higher price tag generally equates to more internal software features. The most advanced watches have features like flashlights, blood oxygen readings, topographic maps, and a suite of smartwatch-enabled features. Some features lend themselves to urban usage, others expeditions into unfamiliar terrain. Keep in mind your usage scenario and try to purchase a watch based on the features you will actually use.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar received the highest scores in this category, with the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Garmin Enduro 2 nipping at their heels. These models feature advanced GPS tracking (MULTI GNSS), lots of activity profiles, advanced health metric stats, and premium topo maps for navigation.
The Garmin toolset offers great functionality. We love that these are easy to access by holding the light button.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Some features that are desirable to some people may be useless to others. We suggest checking out the spec sheets via each brand's website to view the most current, up-to-date features and any software updates. The user interfaces found on the brands we tested are similar to a phone ecosystem — each has its own style of operating system (OS). For example, an iPhone model behaves similarly to other iPhones and vice versa for Android. This is the current state of the GPS market when comparing brands.
We tested each GPS watch in a variety of conditions. Here, you can see our lead tester Matthew on an evening hike using the navigation features found on the Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the most features out of all the watches we tested, thanks largely to its great iPhone integration. The ability to not only answer calls (standard on most watches), but also talk via the speaker is super handy. Answering texts via swipe gestures or Siri is also a benefit over other models. This large feature set costs a lot of battery life, and many of these features are disabled if you activate the low-power mode. But if you've been looking for a GPS watch that can be rugged and provide industry-leading UI and phone integration, this is the model for you.
Your surroundings can interfere with your GPS, especially when the line of sight to the sky is minimal.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Wearability
When considering design, we took a close look at the way each watch fits on the wrist and any notable issues with it during use. This included looking at the size and thickness of the body, using under clothing, accidentally turning buttons on and off, and the clarity of the screen. We also considered aesthetics, which will vary from person to person. Pick the design you like best that fits your budget, and see how the externals stack up between each model.
We used these watches for all-day use, and our opinions will reflect that. If you have a dedicated wristwatch that will take priority over your active GPS watch, take that into consideration. We put priority on premium materials and a good design since this is something we wear 24/7 except while charging. The sleekest design and best for small wrists is the Garmin Forerunner 165 — we are impressed with the amount of technology packed into this unit. The Garmin Forerunner 965 also has a super-thin design that works great for running. Both the new Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar and Suunto Race are standouts in the lineup for design, and they are easily our favorites, offering titanium or stainless steel construction and an excellent bezel.
Suunto does an excellent job of making the Vertical Titanium Solar look great.
The Suunto Race is of high quality, without the extra features that may be distracting to some users.
Suunto continues to impress with its great design and build quality.
We appreciate that Apple went against the grain, creating a unique design. The rectangular shape of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 may not be for everyone, but was a favorite of our team. The titanium bezel and ceramic back feel both rugged and premium. The always-on display is vibrant and easy to read under any sun conditions. The standard watch face is awesome-looking, and the adjustable red mode is perfect for a night under the stars. We hope other brands start incorporating this level of detail and precision into their units. The Suunto Race also has an excellent AMOLED screen similar to Apple's OLED display. For those who want the brightest displays, we'd recommend these two models.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 has an impressive touchscreen that works in situations where most would fail.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
We recommend the Fenix 7 Pro Solar or Vertix 2S for those looking for a more rugged design. Both of these watches are made with high-quality materials and are durable enough to withstand years of abuse. The 51mm case size of the Vertix 2S is great for those with a bigger wrist or who like the commanding-looking screen and bezel. If your primary activity is running, we would stick with the 47mm case size of the Garmin Forerunner 965 or Fenix models. The weight difference is noticeable for activities with a lot of arm movement.
Lower temperatures can run a battery down. Impressively, this was not the case with the Coros Pace 3.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar has an excellent screen design, with the best contrast and brightness out of any of the screens we tested. The data fields pop, and the numbers are bolder than those on the Coros models. We found glancing at the data fields while running technical terrain to be the most fluid and natural. If you aren't doing intense activities, this may be less of a priority for you.
Solar watches, like the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar, are great for extending your battery life.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Similarly important, the dedicated buttons on the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar make accessing the data screens easier while under intense activities. The scroll wheel found on the Coros models tends to be bumped accidentally, requiring a lockout mode to be enabled. This is easily disabled, but does create one extra step. We like the action and sureness of dedicated physical buttons, but if you use the swipe touchscreen feature or auto-scroll, this may be less important to you.
Our lead tester Matthew testing the latest Coros watches running in snowy Colorado.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Battery Life
For any distance athlete, battery life is probably one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a watch. Battery life is affected by many things, including your route, GPS signal, coverage, the number of apps you have turned on/off, the battery mode you have set, and how long you run your device. As a result, we appreciate that many of the watches we tested have battery modes and profiles that make it easy to turn on/off various features at once without having to dig through the menus.
We performed many battery tests. The first was a more subjective in-field test where we charged up the battery and used the watch normally day in and day out. We noted how long the watch took to die while incorporating 2-3 activities each week, about 1-3 hours in length. We then compared manufacturers' claims to the actual results that we got.
The MIP screen is easy to view in a variety of weather and sun conditions. We continue to prefer MIP due to its battery performance and always on display. If you want the brightest clearest display, look at some AMOLED options.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Next, we tested GPS by setting each watch out in the same area under the open sky and running them down until they turned off. We noted the time taken to reach this point and, if any, went into a battery-saver mode to enhance battery life.
We realize this test won't tell you the specific number of hours you'll get during real GPS activity, but it gives us an idea of which watches last longer than others and the quality of the data. In addition, we also took each watch on at least 50 miles of activities, noting the amount of battery used for the time of the activity.
The Coros Vertix 2S has impressive battery life, with over 110 hours of GPS recording time and up to 40 days of continuous use.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Make sure to consider the types of adventures and the length of time you anticipate using your device. Most of these models can charge while recording, but we would recommend choosing the one that best fits your needs to avoid having to do this. We think 24 hours of GPS tracking is a good place to start for most people and to increase only if you know you'll need more. Realize that a battery is a trade-off in terms of features gained/lost or changes to the case size.
When looking at stats for the watches in our lineup, it's important to remember that there is a rough correlation between case size and battery life. A larger case means a physically larger battery, which, in turn, generally has more capacity. That said, many things factor into this. We scored this metric objectively based on the battery life with GPS running. Also, keep in mind that our scores are comparative, so a lower score simply means that a product had less battery life compared to others in the lineup - this is not indicative of a faulty or sub-par battery.
If your priority is a smartwatch that seemingly never dies, then you might consider a solar watch, like the Garmin Instinct Solar 2, Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar, Garmin Enduro 2 or Fenix 7 Pro Solar. You will want to have reliable solar energy available to charge the watch, and minimal percentage gains are made while GPS is running, so you will want to have a power backup if you are planning to use a lot of GPS tracking. This is where a watch, like the Instinct Solar 2, that offers a 'resume later' feature can be beneficial during rest periods out on the trail.
The Instinct 2 Solar has a widget that shows you how much sunlight your screen is getting.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
For maximum battery usage, the Coros models excel across their range. The battery life on the Vertix 2S is impressive, with almost 120 hours of MULTI GNSS tracking. Some people could complete the entire Colorado Trail on their bikes without ever charging their watch! Coros products are known for their battery life, and it's clearly a priority throughout their whole range. The Coros Apex Pro 2 is another model that excels by having extended battery life and roughly 75 hours of GPS. The new Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar also excels at battery life, providing roughly 85 hours of GPS recording thanks to the solar screen. Its slightly larger 49mm case size gives it a bump up over the competition of the flagship 47mm size models that Garmin and Coros offer.
We kept everything set to default settings when running our battery tests - in the condition that most people will start using their watches. Turn off notifications and other functions you don't need before your activity to extend battery life.
We appreciate a watch with good battery-saver options and modes, however, this may be less of a priority for Coros to implement, given their industry-leading battery life. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 scored low in the battery metric due to the always-on display. There is a low-power mode, but the battery life still doesn't quite measure up to some other options. This is one major consideration to take into account if you are planning on purchasing a model with an AMOLED display. Personally, we like having the watch face always displayed; this will drastically reduce battery life, so take this into consideration.
Across our entire lineup, there is a GPS watch that fits anyone's battery needs. If your main priority is battery life, the Coros models are the clear winner. Consider the longest time you expect to be out and choose a watch that best matches your needs.
A great option for smaller wrists or someone who prefers a lighter GPS watch is the Forerunner 165.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Conclusion
Buying a GPS watch is a big decision and a significant investment. You might check out our reviews for a more in-depth look at the various models we tested. You might find yourself researching for weeks or even months before finding the right one at the right price. We hope our insights and in-depth comparative research have helped you find confidence in taking the plunge into this investment. Take our thoughts and use cases and determine what's most important to you. There is a GPS watch here for everyone, and we hope this makes your decision process a little easier. Have fun out there!
Our testers went to great lengths… and heights… to get the most out of these watches.
